Self-driving Jaguar I-Pace to join Waymo’s driverless fleet from 2020

Jaguar Land Rover and Waymo (formerly Google self-driving car project) announced a long-term strategic partnership where the two companies will work together to develop a premium self-driving electric vehicle for Waymo’s driverless fleet.

The first self-driving I-Pace will join Waymo’s driverless fleet from 2020, and the companies aim to add up to 20,000 units to Waymo’s fleet in the first two years of production, serving a potential one million trips per day.

Waymo Jaguar I-Paces, equipped with Waymo’s self-driving technology, will start testing later this year. On-road testing and capturing real-world data will allow Waymo and Jaguar Land Rover engineers to refine technology and deliver optimum safety and reliability, the companies said.

Waymo claims to be the only company with a fleet of fully self-driving cars — with no one in the front seat — on public roads. Later this year, the company will launch the self-driving transportation service, claimed to be the world’s first, allowing members of the public to use Waymo’s app to request a vehicle.

“With the Jaguar I-Pace we have a world-beating car that’s captured the imagination of customers around the world. Our passion for further advancing smart mobility needs expert long-term partners. In joining forces with Waymo we are pioneering to push the boundaries of technology. Together we will deliver the self-driving Waymo Jaguar I-Pace with the grace, space and eco-pace that customers expect,” said Dr. Ralf Speth, CEO, JLR.

“While we’ve been focused at Waymo on building the world’s most experienced driver, the team at Jaguar Land Rover has developed an all-new battery-electric platform that looks to set a new standard in safety, design and capability. We’re sure Waymo riders will enjoy the safe, premium and delightful experience that the self-driving I-Pace will provide,” said John Krafcik, CEO, Waymo.

The all-electric Jaguar I-Pace was globally unveiled in March 2018. You can read more about the I-Pace here.